EAST 40, who consist of young people from Glasgow's east end, were joined by Lulu to give a special performance of Glasgow 2014 Unicef song Let the Games Begin.

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Phil Dye/Daily Record

Lulu with some of the children outside No10

SCOTTISH schoolchildren made the trip of a lifetime to perform their Commonwealth Games charity single with pop superstar Lulu at No10 Downing Street yesterday.

The singer joined the kids from Glasgow's east end to sing Let the Games Begin, which they wrote for the event with the help of top bands Franz Ferdinand and The Vaccines.

Known as East 40, the band consist of young people aged between three and 17 who attend St Anne’s Primary and nine other schools in the St Mungo’s Learning Community.

Yesterday, the group travelled to London – courtesy of Virgin Trains – to give a special performance of the Glasgow 2014 Unicef song outside No10.

They were also guests of honour at St James’s Palace in London, where they sang in front of dignitaries during the Commonwealth Choir and Orchestra event.

Lulu, who will lead celebrations at Glasgow Green on the day of the Games’ opening ceremony next month, said: “I’m so impressed. The song is terrific. The children have done a superb job and should be very proud.

“To write and record a song for such a global event is no easy task but they have proved more than capable. The Glasgow Games are going to be amazing and the city has plenty to shout about right now.”

Lulu will lead a line-up of performers including Eddi Reader, Rab Noakes and Roddy Hart & The Lonesome Fire at the Glasgow Green gala opening.

As well as dazzling at Downing Street, the East 40 youngsters were treated to a private tour of the House of Lords before giving an exclusive performance of their song to Lord Jack McConnell, Glasgow East MP Margaret Curran and Baroness Margaret McDonagh.

The VIP treatment didn’t stop there as the kids were shown around some of London’s landmarks on a red bus.

The youngsters also got the chance to perform an acoustic version of their song at the Unicef offices in the capital.

Heidi said: “It’s been amazing, especially performing for Lulu. She seemed to love it and I was singing my heart out.”

Michelle said: “I’ve had a great time and the best part was getting to see inside No10 Downing Street. It’s been incredible, more than any of us could ever have hoped for.”

Pupils and teachers have worked on the song over the last few months with Freddie Cowan (The Vaccines), Scott Hutchison (Frightened Rabbit), Paul Thomson (Franz Ferdinand) and songwriter Jonathan Carr, who composed the track with the children and Scott.

The idea of using the song to support Unicef’s work came after headteacher Louise Hamilton and principal teacher Marie Hamilton from St Anne’s met the charity’s representatives to share the story behind the school’s long-running choir.

Louise said: “I’m so proud of the kids, they have done an incredible job and it’s not every day that you can say you got to sing with a pop star like Lulu.

“The kids are proud to come from the east end of Glasgow and that’s why we wanted to record the song.”